Abdul Qadeer Khan, regarded as the father of Pakistan's nuclear bomb, shakes hands with supporters at the Rawalpindi High Court in 2010. The controversial Khan, who sold nuclear secrets to Iran and North Korea, is now entering politics.

Behrouz Mehri
/ AFP/Getty Images

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Originally published on September 20, 2012 9:56 am

The man known as the father of Pakistan's nuclear weapons program, Abdul Qadeer Kahn, is a national hero in Pakistan — and a villain in much of the West.

Now, the controversial scientist is trying his hand at politics at the age of 76.

In the U.S., Khan is best known for selling nuclear technology to nations such as North Korea and Iran. In 2004, at the urging of the U.S., Pakistan placed Khan under house arrest. But in 2009, he was freed.

Pakistan's government says Khan is not allowed to meet with foreigners, and he declined a recorded interview with NPR. Zaman says Khan started his political movement because terrorism, corruption and a dysfunctional political system are fueling turmoil in Pakistan.

"He was very clear on one thing: that if we sit and don't do anything this will be a historic crime for coming generation," Zaman says. "He feels that our future generations will suffer if we don't stand and work now."

Zaman says Khan has already received broad support from all corners of Pakistani society and that Khan will play only a guiding role in the political movement he's started. Pervez Hoodboy, a nuclear scientist and civil activist, says he is not convinced.

"A.Q. Khan has long wanted to be in politics but he missed the bus 10 years ago," Hoodboy says. "He wants to be president of Pakistan, and yet now people suspect the various statements that he makes, that he's not all there."

A Loose Cannon?

Some of Khan's recent statements have been extreme. In one of his first political speeches, Khan called former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf a traitor for dealing with the U.S. He said Musharraf may be executed and his body dragged through the streets.

Khan has also tried to deflect blame for transferring nuclear secrets to Iran and North Korea, saying he was just following orders from former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Professor Hoodboy says Khan is rewriting history like a growing number of others, and he disputes Khan's mantel as father of the nuclear bomb.

"He actually got some centrifuge technology while he was working in Holland brought it back, reversed engineered it," Hoodboy says. "But it's actually the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission which made the bomb for Pakistan, and he played only a supportive role."

Hoodboy says Pakistan's establishment fears Khan coming to power because he's increasingly seen as a loose cannon. Hoodboy concedes there's a chance Khan could become a member of Pakistan's parliament, which may worry some in the U.S.

"America unfortunately doesn't enjoy a very good name in Pakistan society and the region," Zamar says. "But we want to work with them and have friendly relationships with America. We do want to work for peace as well as with America."

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Transcript

RENEE MONTAGNE, HOST:

In Pakistan, the man known as the father of that country's nuclear weapons program is making a move into politics. A.Q. Khan says he wants to save Pakistan from a downward trajectory, and he's targeting young voters. Khan's foray into politics may worry some in the West because of his role in selling nuclear technology to rogue nations. NPR's Jackie Northam reports from the Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

JACKIE NORTHAM, BYLINE: Abdul Qadeer Khan, or A.Q. Khan, has been a national hero in Pakistan for more than three decades. The 76-year-old scientist is credited with developing Pakistan's nuclear bomb. To the U.S. and other Western nations, Khan is a pariah for selling that nuclear technology to nations such as North Korea and Iran. In 2004, at the urging of the U.S., Pakistan placed Khan under house arrest. In 2009, he was freed and now, he's trying his hand at politics.

KHURSHID ZAMAN: Dr. A.Q. Khan, because he's an intellectual, he believes that Pakistan should have a bright future.

NORTHAM: Khurshid Zaman is chief campaign adviser for A.Q. Khan's new political movement, Tehreek Tahafuz Pakistan - loosely translated as Save Pakistan. Pakistan's government says Khan is not allowed to meet with foreigners, and he declined a recorded interview with NPR. His adviser, Zaman, says Khan started his political movement because Pakistan is in turmoil due to terrorism, corruption, and a dysfunctional political system.

ZAMAN: He was very clear on one thing; that if we sit and don't do anything, this will be a historic crime for coming generations. He feels that our future generation will suffer if we don't stand and work now.

NORTHAM: Zaman says Khan has already received broad support from all corners of Pakistani society, and that Khan will only play a guiding role in the political movement he started. Nonsense, says nuclear scientist and civil activist Pervez Hoodbhoy.

PERVEZ HOODBHOY: A.Q. Khan has long wanted to be in politics, but he missed the bus 10 years ago. He wants to be president of Pakistan and yet, now people suspect - from the various statements that he makes - that he's not all there.

NORTHAM: Indeed, some of Khan's recent statements have been way out there.

(SOUNDBITE OF SPEECH)

A.Q. KHAN: (Foreign language spoken)

NORTHAM: In one of his first political speeches, Khan criticized Pakistani politicians. He called former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf a traitor for dealing with the U.S., and said he may be executed and his body dragged through the streets. Khan has also tried to deflect blame for transferring nuclear secrets to Iran and North Korea, saying he was just following orders from former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Professor Hoodbhoy says Khan is rewriting history. And like a growing number of others, he disputes Khan's mantle as father of the nuclear bomb.

HOODBHOY: He actually got some centrifuge technology while he was working in Holland; brought it back, reverse-engineered it. But it's actually the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission which made the bomb for Pakistan, and he played only a supportive role in that.

NORTHAM: Hoodbhoy says Pakistan's establishment fears Khan coming to power because he's increasingly seen as a loose cannon who's naming names. Hoodbhoy concedes there's a chance Khan could become a member of Pakistan's parliament, which may worry some in the U.S. Khan's adviser, Zaman, says America needs a fresh start in this region.

ZAMAN: America is - unfortunately, doesn't enjoy a very good name in Pakistani society and the region. But we want to work with them and have friendly relationship with America. We do want to work for peace, as well as with America.

NORTHAM: Elections in Pakistan must be called by next March, but it's possible they could be held before the end of the year.